Conclusion vs. Premise

Attribute	Conclusion	Premise
Definition	A statement that is reached after considering evidence or reasoning	A statement that serves as the basis for a conclusion
Role	Final statement or judgment in an argument or reasoning process	Supporting statement that leads to a conclusion
Order	Usually comes at the end of an argument or discussion	Comes before the conclusion and provides the basis for it
Validity	Dependent on the strength of the premises and the logic used	Dependent on the truthfulness and relevance of the premises

Introduction

When it comes to constructing arguments, two key components are premises and conclusions. Premises are statements that provide the foundation for an argument, while conclusions are the end result or inference drawn from those premises. Understanding the attributes of both premises and conclusions is essential for constructing sound and persuasive arguments.

Definition and Purpose

A premise is a statement or proposition that serves as the basis for an argument. It is a starting point that is used to support or justify a conclusion. Premises are typically presented as evidence or reasons for accepting the conclusion of an argument. On the other hand, a conclusion is the final statement or inference that is drawn from the premises. It is the end result of the argument and is meant to persuade the audience to accept a particular viewpoint or belief.

Relationship

The relationship between premises and conclusions is crucial in constructing a valid argument. Premises are used to provide support for the conclusion, and without strong premises, the conclusion may not be convincing. The conclusion must logically follow from the premises, meaning that the premises must lead to the conclusion in a coherent and rational manner. If there is a disconnect between the premises and the conclusion, the argument may be considered weak or fallacious.

Attributes of Premises

Premises are typically statements that are assumed to be true for the sake of the argument. They are used to provide evidence or reasons for accepting the conclusion. Premises can be either explicit or implicit, meaning that they can be clearly stated or implied within the argument. Premises are also used to establish the credibility of the argument by providing a logical foundation for the conclusion.

• Premises are statements that provide the foundation for an argument.
• They are used to support or justify a conclusion.
• Premises can be explicit or implicit.
• They establish the credibility of the argument.

Attributes of Conclusions

Conclusions are the end result of an argument and are meant to persuade the audience to accept a particular viewpoint. They are based on the premises provided in the argument and must logically follow from those premises. Conclusions are typically stated explicitly at the end of the argument to summarize the main point or inference drawn from the premises. A strong conclusion is one that is supported by strong premises and follows logically from those premises.

• Conclusions are the final statement or inference drawn from the premises.
• They are meant to persuade the audience to accept a particular viewpoint.
• Conclusions must logically follow from the premises.
• They summarize the main point of the argument.

Importance in Argumentation

Both premises and conclusions play a crucial role in constructing sound and persuasive arguments. Premises provide the evidence and reasons for accepting a particular viewpoint, while conclusions summarize the main point and persuade the audience to accept that viewpoint. Without strong premises, the conclusion may lack credibility and fail to convince the audience. Similarly, without a logical and coherent conclusion, the argument may appear weak or fallacious. Therefore, understanding the attributes of both premises and conclusions is essential for effective argumentation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, premises and conclusions are essential components of constructing valid and persuasive arguments. Premises provide the foundation and evidence for accepting a particular viewpoint, while conclusions summarize the main point and persuade the audience to accept that viewpoint. The relationship between premises and conclusions is crucial in ensuring the validity and credibility of an argument. By understanding the attributes of both premises and conclusions, individuals can construct stronger and more convincing arguments.